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Thread : Part 3 - Knife In The Dark
Started at Jun 7 '12 3:22am by ShadowStalker
Visit at http://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=172551
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[Post 1]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jun 7 '12 3:22am
Thread Title : Part 3 - Knife In The Dark
Continued from Part 2: The Ruins (http://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=152964).
As if in answer to Cuthred's question, Emeric and Cuthred could hear a commotion from the other side of the opened door. At first the sound was faint, drowned out by the incessant thrum of rain and the booming of thunder. But as it grew nearer, the two sentinels were aware of voices. They were harsh and loud enough to compete with the din of the weather, but the heavy oaken doors made them all but indistinguishable.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Came the knock on the door. The sound resonated through the tower, and wafted to the ears of the explorers on the ancient stair.
I'll give everyone a chance to react before posting again.
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[Post 2]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jun 7 '12 3:53am
Emeric's hair stood on end when the voices became more distinct and, possibly worst of all, came closer and closer. The warrior strode towards his long axe's resting place and hefted it up, even as Cuthred followed him. The Velian wasn't too sure what to do. If he closed the door, would they simply ram it down? Would it be better to talk this through? How many of them were there? As the questions came, the answers did not and he gritted his teeth together in frustration.
Glancing at Cuthred, he chuckled nervously as he steeled himself. "You want to go back on your word and wish this was a horde of women?" he said in a hushed voice.
When the knock came, Emeric stepped closer to the door and his voice boomed, no doubt reaching the ears of their comrades upstairs: "Who goes there!"
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[Post 3]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jun 7 '12 5:29am
Cuthred grabbed his pilfered axe, twirled it with a turn of his wrist as he moved to Emeric's left. "Not on your life. Give me more bandits any day."
He scarcely dared to breathe, vainly straining to hear something distinct over the tumult outside. He imagined Toli on the other side of the door. A wet rat seeking shelter. Well, if the gods had seen fit to deliver him, Toli would find no shelter here. He clamped his grip down on the axe's haft.
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[Post 4]
Author : Mordae
Date : Jun 8 '12 4:39am
Rikard frowned as the sounds of knocking and conversation carried up the empty tower. "No time for curiosity now--our allies may need assistance," the sword master growled curtly as he turned and began bounding down the steps two at a time. Cuthred and Emeric were solid men who could handle themselves in battle, but there was no need to test the odds.
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[Post 5]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jun 8 '12 9:09pm
The pounding on the door that reached their ears drew a faint scowl on the woodsman's lips, but he didn't make any comment. Instead he followed Rickard down the stairs with haste, as much haste as possible given the other man in front of him. He'd left his bow on the ground level, but it made no matter. The close confines of the tower were no place for archery and instead his hand gripped lightly around the hilt of his sword as he moved.
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[Post 6]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jun 11 '12 3:00pm
As the explorers began their descent down the stair, the defenders back at camp awaited a reply. A pregnant pause declared some deliberation was occurring on the other side of the door, but finally a voice hailed back. It was a commanding voice, coarse and loud. Both the Velian and Lindener could hear the Lindish accent thick on every word.
"We're travelers, bound for the coast! We need shelter from the storm! Please, we'll die out here!"
It will take approximately 2 rounds before Rikard, Tristan, and Braithe make it to the camp. I will let you know when they can act.
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[Post 7]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jun 11 '12 4:38pm
Emeric froze in place as the voice rose above the din of the weather outside. Travelers, just like they were. Caught out in a storm. The Velian's suspicions softened, but the obvious Lindish accent did leave him slightly uneasy. More Lindeners in Stromland, and going by their previous encounter with the raiders, A Lindish accent was not necessarily a good sign.
"Hesitation kills." said Olaf, swinging his sword as a young Emeric parried with the shaft of his axe. "You have to kill uncertainty before it kills you!" he continued saying as the youth swung his axe at him, hitting the shield hard and sending the instructor back a few paces. The Velian's trainer, recovering quickly, suddenly lunged in from the right with shield and sword and the boy wondered briefly which he should be more worried about.
Just that was enough, the sound of oaken wood crashing against him was all he remembered from that little duel as it sent him down face first into the sand. He hadn't even had the time to recover that he suddenly felt cold steel press against his neck. "Quick wits aren't your strength, Emeric, so stick to that gut feeling of yours. I'd say it is better council." he concluded with a chuckle.
Back in the tower, Emeric suddenly made his decision. "Well you'll have to wait until our leader decides what to do with you!" he shouted, then with his shoulder, rammed the door shut, signalling Cuthred to help him brace it. He wondered if going upstairs would afford them a view of the group outside. For now, he felt it was safer to wait for Rikard.
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[Post 8]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jun 12 '12 2:42am
Cuthred slammed into the door beside Emeric. He turned, pressing his back against the wood and digging his heels into the stone floor.
He shouted at the men outside, bellowing to be heard through the thick door and the weather outside.;Forgive our rudeness, countrymen. We've had some ill dealings with other Lindeners recently. He glanced at Emeric, then shouted again, this time in the common tongue. "What lord do you serve?"
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[Post 9]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jun 12 '12 2:56am
There was some commotion raised when the door was slammed shut, but the act was not hindered. It seemed like several moments passed before a response came. Though it was not the masculine voice from before. The voice that spoke was bright and keen, yet full of sorrow. The words were a desperate plea.
"Please," the feminine voice began in a thick Lindish accent, "we have had no respite from this weather. We are chilled to the marrow and cannot stand much longer."
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[Post 10]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jun 12 '12 4:28am
The words were like water as they seeped into the cracks of his resolve, widening his uncertainties and even Emeric's guilt. He closed his eyes and suddenly he could smell the sea they had traveled on, remembering their ship as it capsized. Memories flooded him, reminding him how it had felt to nearly drown as he struggled against dark whirlpools. How it had felt waking on dreadful shores to the sounds of torn flesh, bones being picked clean. Then, a cursed forest and sleepless nights with no moon or respite. Had this door closed on him, would his spirit have been crushed as well?
And there was a woman out there. They hadn't tried to force their way in either. His mind scrambled to find meaning, reasons for what he was about to do. He felt compelled to open the door. His eyes met Cuthred's as he slowly relented from bracing the door and the Lindener knew what his Velian companion was about to do.
"Indecision in battle kills, but this is not yet a battle, Olaf." he whispered to himself as he motioned to his friend that he was opening the door.
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[Post 11]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jun 12 '12 5:15pm
Well that changed things. Cuthred chewed his lip pensively. His father had told him dozens of stories of how the gods' wrath would fall on those who turned travelers away from their homes. But this is not our home, he thought. Even so, as he saw Emeric's expression softening, Cuthred knew he was right. He nodded, slinging his axe at his belt and then grabbing hold of the door to help Emeric swing it open.
Let it not be Toli, he prayed. Turning away the weary traveler in a storm was a black enough deed. Welcoming him in only to spill his blood would be an unforgivable crime, no matter who it was.
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[Post 12]
Author : Mordae
Date : Jun 19 '12 3:28am
Rikard's feet pounded on the stone steps as he bounded down toward the base of the tower. He heard the old doors swing closed with a boom, only to creak open again. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword with deadly purpose. Whoever it was that could force the doors again the combined wills of Emeric and Cuthred would have an angry Stromlander, full of the presence of his ancestors' hall, to reckon with.
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[Post 13]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jun 21 '12 1:40am
The two young warriors hauled on the handles of the heavy oaken door, causing the iron hinges to groan loudly in protest. Icy rain slanted in, forming into a misty cloud that filled the entrance hall. The door scraped open, revealing four shapes huddled in their cloaks, trying desperately to shield themselves from the beating rain. They moved quickly into the hall, then pushed the door closed. It banged into place with an ominous thud that instantly dulled the chatter of the storm outside.
"Thank-you." It was unclear to heroes who spoke the words, but it did not come from a voice yet heard. One of the cloaked shapes stepped forward, removing its hood with two gloved hands. Beneath a bedraggled mop of thick brown hair was the gaunt, pale face of a man. His dark eyes were shadowed by prominent brows, and his bony nose was crooked. He licked his swollen red lips, and cleared his throat. The others removed their hoods, save the woman who was now standing separate from the others, tethered at ankle and wrist.
She was cloaked in rags; weather-worn and soaked through by rain. She had no skins and no furs and her feet were bare and muddied. The freezing air had colored her lips violet and her cheeks scarlet. Though it was her eyes and not her complexion that was most intriguing about her, for they were dark, drawn and grey – the color of stone and steel; unblinking and focused on the strangers.
The flesh at her wrists was mauve and russet; bloodied, scabbed and raw. The backs of her hands, her wrists and even her neck were inked in dye and showed patterns of serpents and circular patterns and other things. Her forearms were bruised and though she stood apart from the men, and would seem to be their captive, she showed no fear of them; only equal measures of malice and spite.
"Thank-you," the gaunt-faced man said again. He nursed a bloodied lip with the back of his hand. "We crossed a river a day ago; the bridge was nothing more than a few pieces of wood strung together with rope. Ah, I slipped. None of our horses would cross with the rain. The river was already like to burst. We're on our way to the coast. My name is Vigdis. This is Kettil and Bruide. The girl is my slave."
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[Post 14]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jun 21 '12 4:45am
Cuthred looked the bedraggled crew up and down while keeping one hand close to his axe, though there was no outward sign they were anything but grateful to be out of the rain. And even if they were looking to cause trouble, he doubted they were in any shape to be causing much of anything.
"I had my own adventure with the bridges here," he said, offering Vigdis a smile. "Though somehow we were able to get our beasts across. Save for that one, which decided to take a swim with me."
He nodded at the other men as Vigdis gave their names, pointedly kept from looking at the girl or the livid wounds from her shackles. What a man did with his own slaves was his business. Though his father had never treated one so poorly. And his father's slaves had never looked at him with quite so much venom, either.
"Not much to eat but there's a fire, at least. You can take off your cloaks and dry them."
He cocked his head, watching the newcomers. "Heading back home to Linden?" It was as much statement as question. "I'm surprised how many of us there are wandering about Stromland."
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[Post 15]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jun 21 '12 5:40am
Tristan's own footfalls followed the echo of Rikard's as he trailed down the stone stair way, only far enough back to ensure he didn't run in to the other man. He moved off to the side as Rikard paused and his hand went to his own sword, his grip somewhat lighter, his eyes glued to the scene before him. It was his usual measuring gaze, cast over each of the newcomers equally to study them as much as he was able. He said nothing to the men, no greeting or even much of an acknowledgment that they were there beyond the stare he gave them.
As he finished studying the woman, though, his gaze went from measuring to one of near disgust and was re-directed at the men. There was no effort to hide it, he was displeased, and he didn't seem very interested in whether or not his look caused discomfort to the new arrivals.
1d20+6
Looking to see if any of them might be concealing weapons, I'm assuming its spot.
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[Post 16]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jun 24 '12 11:54pm
Emeric watched the group come in with some interest, but scowled as he saw the state of their slave. His father had owned one, but never had he taken care of one so poorly. The young man, however, listened intently as Cuthred asked his questions, wondering what story this little group had to tell.
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[Post 17]
Author : Mordae
Date : Jun 25 '12 3:03am
Rikard skidded to a halt, sword aloft, as his eyes caught up with his racing mind and took in the much more benign sight than he had anticipated. He drew in a couple of ragged breaths before crooking up the corners of his mouth in a bit of a smile. "Pardon our greeting; we get so few visitors these days," he quipped as he slid his blade back into its sheath. Dark times leap to dark conclusions too often... he counseled himself privately.
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[Post 18]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jun 25 '12 3:33am
"No," Vigdis said in response to Cuthred's inquiry. He said the word slowly, and with more than a touch of irritation. He looked down at his hands, then slowly peeled off one wet glove. He shook it out before peeling off the other. When he was satisfied, he looked up at Cuthred.
"No," he said again; this time with a more level tone. "We have just come from Linden. I don't ever want to see that barren, gods-forsaken land ever again." As if to emphasize his words, he spat. "We are on our way to the coast, to charter a ship northwards. I have an uncle I need to see about... an inheritance."
When Rikard spoke, he turned to address the man. He inspected the man with a quick glance, but let his gaze linger over the warrior's sword. He slowly raised his gaze to meet Rikard's. "Quite funny, actually. I can hardly blame you for your suspicions. These are hard lands; harder than the last time I was here. I'm familiar with this land, though not overly fond of it. It is an uncouth place, with... rustic folk." He emphasized the word rustic with a particular disdain directed towards Rikard.
"If we are going to be keeping company together, may I know your purposes?"
With the dim lighting, it is difficult for Tristan to tell if they are concealing any weapons. But the older man Kettil is clearly wearing a longsword at his hip. Tristan can also see the outline of some type of weapon beneath Bruide's cloak. 1d20+11z
Vigdis is lying about meeting an uncle. His true purpose is to meet a slaver-master to sell Asdis.
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[Post 19]
Author : slapstick
Date : Jun 25 '12 3:36am
Several moments after Rikard comes to a halt, Braithe comes down behind the men, ducking a bit to examine the newcomers. Even by the low standards she held men to, these appeared to be slightly below pond scum. Still, she couldn't fight back a smile at Rikard's comment.
"Oh, you have jokes, do you? And where's that sense of humor been? Perhaps from now on we can trade off, you can be the funny one for a bit and I get to scowl."
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[Post 20]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jun 25 '12 4:23am
Tristan continued to remain silent, the same look of disgust on his face as he continued to eye the men from his potion. He'd seemed to have turned away from the woman for now, his gaze settling first upon Bruide and then likewise upon Kettil. The sound of a sword being returned to it's scabbard finally caught his attention though and he turned his gaze on Rikard and gave him a single, pointed look. A flick of the eyes, and as he did so the fingers of his hand drummed lightly upon the hilt of the sword at his hip, his gaze turning back to the two men who had accompanied the speaker.
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[Post 21]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jun 25 '12 6:25am
As the man raised his voice to speak, Emeric's eyes narrowed as he went on. The man's tone was annoying him. He didn't know about the other two, but this one? This one deserved to spend some more time in the rain, he reckoned. Maybe he'd then realise they were doing him a favor. Staying his voice, his eyes darted towards Rikard. The young Velian had no desire to speak out of line this time, but it was quite clear that first impressions had not impressed him.
Fidgeting somewhat, the warrior straightened, taking a deep breath. He wondered how this little group had survived the journey from Linden when they had had so much trouble. Between man-eating birds, a giant troll, Quadan warriors and bandits, there was a diverse array of problems that could crop up in the journey North.
And yet here they were. Maybe they were just really lucky.
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[Post 22]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jun 25 '12 4:16pm
"Barren," Cuthred muttered, taken aback by Vigdis's disdain for their homeland. Linden could be a hard place, but it had its own charms. At least Cuthred thought so.
When Vigdis complained of the "uncouth" Stromlanders, he couldn't help but guffaw. Is he being ironic, or is he just that soft headed? He kept his thoughts to himself, though. The man was wet and tired, not to mention facing down well armed strangers. A bit of discourtesy was forgivable given the circumstances.
"We all have our own purposes," he said, glancing at Rikard, "but I'd not speak for the others. For now we're travelling together, heading deeper into Stromland. I myself am looking for an old friend from our barren homeland." Specifics would have to be revealed later, if at all.
He stepped back a few paces, making more room for the newcomers. "I'm Cuthred, by the way. Forgive my rudeness for not introducing myself." One by one, he named the others. Courtesies observed, he turned back to Vigdis. "Strange for a Lindener to come to the mainland to deal with an inheritance. I'm sure there's a tale behind that."
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[Post 23]
Author : Mordae
Date : Jun 29 '12 4:26am
Rikard's smile faded somewhat, but he deigned not return discourtesy for discourtesy. "Rustic or not, my friends and I are warm and dry, and you are soaked to the bone. Sit and recover by the fire, and if you find our simple kindness not to your liking, you are free to depart at any time." Having said this, his expression darkened to match his sour mood. "Know this, however: we have seen much evil and more amiss in these parts. If you cast your lot with such mischief-makers, have a care in our company, for we have slain better than you this fortnight."
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[Post 24]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jul 3 '12 3:57am
"Indeed," Vigdis said simply in reply to both men. He looked over his shoulder and nodded at the larger man behind him. The scarred-faced man introduced as Kettil made a grunting noise, roughly took the slave woman by the meat of her arm, and led her to the fire in the center of the room. Though it was clear she attempted to conceal it, she was shivering. By way of force, he sat her down. Kettil began removing layers of clothing, beginning with the fur cape clinging about his broad shoulders. He was an older man, the worn lines on his face made apparent by the orange glow of the fire.
"Thank-you," he said, his voice low and hoarse, though not unkind. The man named Bruide said nothing as he approached the fire. He removed his wet cloak, revealing a stout jerkin of leather and a cudgel at his waist. He laid the cloak out on the stone floor and sat unceremoniously. His hair and beard was a blonde color, matted and dirtied from travel. He scratched at his chin.
Vigdis removed his own cloak and coat, revealing an iron cudgel at his waist. As he sat near the fire, he removed a bundled bedroll that was slung across his back. He unrolled it on to the floor, spilling a few things that were obviously wrapped inside. He picked up one of the bags that fell out, opened it, and inspected the contents within. When satisfied, he gathered up the others and placed them into a pocket. He looked up, and offered a halfhearted smile.
"I'm sick, you see. These are my medicines." He coughed, as if to demonstrate. It was a wet cough, rasping like a sword being drawn from its scabbard.
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[Post 25]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jul 3 '12 8:09am
Tristan's eyes followed the larger man as Vigdis nodded to him, and watched him lead the slave woman across the room and sit her in front of the fire. Though he'd spotted them earlier he still made note of the weapons on the other men, his eyes often flitting to them. He moved across the floor though and back towards the fire, his left hand still gripped loosely around the hilt of his longsword. He positioned himself on the other side of the woman and continued to watch Kettil for a moment. Then, without a word to the other man, he pulled the rough cloak from his shoulders and glanced towards the woman.
Now watching her, he held the cloak in a bundle out towards her. "Dry yourself, and don it. You'll get warmer quicker."
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[Post 26]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jul 3 '12 5:16pm
"I see." Cuthred sat opposite Vigdis. He examined him through the thin wisps of smoke still drifting up from the fire. He grabbed a nearby stick and prodded some more life from the coals.
"Let's hope it's not catching," he said. He drew one knee up to his chest and propped his arm across it. As Tristan made a gift of his cloak to the slave, Cuthred watched Vigdis for a reaction. "How long have you been on the mainland, Vigdis?" he asked, both out of genuine interest and in an attempt to distract him.
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[Post 27]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jul 3 '12 6:11pm
Kettil grinned at Tristan when he addressed the slave, showing dirty teeth beneath the mass of tangled hair that was his beard. "Careful, Haerlander. She'll cut off your prick and feed it to you in your sleep. She's a witch."
The slave-girl accepted the cloak, her face betraying no emotion. But her eyes -- those bright eyes filled with hidden life, love -- gleamed in the firelight, catching Tristan's gaze for a fleeting second. They seemed to say something, but then it passed, and she looked down.
Vigdis glanced indifferently at Tristan, then turned his attention back to Cuthred. "A week, maybe longer." He replied apathetically, as if it were a chore he must go through before going to sleep. He pulled off both boots and stood them next to the fire, water leaking from the seams. He seemed grateful at least for the warmth of the fire and extended his hands towards it.
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[Post 28]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jul 3 '12 8:24pm
Tristan let his arm drop back to his side as the woman took the cloak, but made no move to drop his left hand from the hilt of his sword. The cloak wasn't exactly clean, but it was dry, and Tristan's eyes didn't leave the woman until it was clear she would accept it. Only then did he turn to Kettil. He studied the man for a moment. The scowl had gone from his features, but it was replaced by a lack of any emotion. A blank slate, similar to that of the slave woman, though the reasons for it were likely much different.
"Maybe she will, maybe she won't. Either way something tells me I won't be placed at the top of her list," he said, seating himself where he'd been standing.
He stopped gripping at his sword as he sat, but the hunting knife kept sheathed at his belt was drawn. His gaze was never still, most often flicking between Kettil and the woman, but sometimes to the other men as he idly cleaned the dirt from beneath his fingernails with the blade of the knife.
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[Post 29]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jul 4 '12 12:06am
"I've seen this before. Women accused of witchcraft. Though it is not often when the accusations are founded in truth. I've seen it most frequently used when grudges and resentment are held against that individual. With nothing to show for it, they are sentenced to death." said the Velian, his eyes surveying each of the three men in turn. "I very much doubt you would elect to keep an actual witch in worst conditions than I've seen dogs kept, if she was the real thing." he concluded, unwilling to let his superstition supersede logic.
With that, the Velian stayed standing, moving to his own corner of the fire, looking to stay close to Braithe. If taking women as their possessions was a sport of theirs, he had an axe he'd like them to meet. With watchful eyes, the Velian kept a perhaps uncharacteristically low profile.
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[Post 30]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jul 5 '12 4:25am
A chill slithered up Cuthred's spine at the word. Witch. He stared hard at the woman, though he knew that was pointless. Witches looked like anyone else, and that was what made them dangerous.
He relaxed visibly though as Emeric spoke. While he was more than willing to let his superstition's run ahead of his mind, he couldn't deny Emeric's reasoning. No one would be stupid enough to suffer a witch to live, let alone keep one as a slave. Kettil was simply being dramatic. Yes, that was it.
He swept his gaze over the three men, then settled on Vigdis again. The man was reticent, but he seemed to be in charge of the ragged little band. "You said you've found this land harder than the last time you were here. We might've seen some of what's changed a day past: men housebreaking and burning, raping and killing villeins. I've never been to Stromland, but I think it's safe to say that's not the normal way of things here. Have you seen anything of the like on the road?"
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[Post 31]
Author : slapstick
Date : Jul 6 '12 3:25am
The woman frowned at Emeric as he spoke. Of course there wasn't any such thing as witches, but a confined area with a lot of weapons isn't the ideal setting for a theology debate.
"Oh, that's not always the case," Braithe said, her eyes drifting across the newcomers. "Why, I've been called a witch and worse, and I've never even managed to make a tooth fall out. Cursing is another thing all together, I can curse with the best -- though I would never do so in polite company.
"Come now, Cuthred, can't we put aside the slaughter and corpse ploughing and maybe share some jokes or throw the dice?" She pushed her hair from her face and drew her cloak tight around her body. "If it gets much more dour I might drown myself, see if things aren't a bit lighter on the other side."
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[Post 32]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jul 6 '12 5:54am
Emeric turned his head towards Braithe and shrugged, though he did inwardly agree when she called for a lighter mood. There had been so much fighting, so much blood spilled, the Velian suddenly felt heavy. This unyielding, relentless care they had taken ever since the Dimmwold was excessive, exhausting and wearisome. Perhaps it was indeed time to lower their shield walls a little. The Velian smiled inwardly. If Braithe doubted her powers as a witch, he certainly did not. He stepped towards the fire and sat down opposite from Vigdis, letting a smile creep upon his face. "No dice, but friendly discourse is good enough. I haven't introduced myself yet, so let me make amends."
The Velian paused, took one of the Quadan clay jars in hand, idly tapping against it as he explained. "My name is Emeric, son of the Wulf clan on Linden." he said, his eyes shimmering from the fire's light. "I am seeking out my roots and my road leads to Velmark, where I hope my kin still lives. My path lays North as well, but getting there? Clear as mud." he said, a smile cracking somewhat dry lips. "I will chart that road someday, but for now I might just stop by a longhouse on the way there and drink mead till I pass out."
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[Post 33]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jul 6 '12 6:13am
Tristan glanced between Cuthred and Braithe as each spoke in turn, the faintest grimace crossing his features at the mention of there recent adventures, before his attention moved to Emeric. He wasn't entirely convinced that Vigdis had any interest at all in the younger man's tail, given the man's initial tone. Still, better for him if the others covered entertaining their guests. It was quite obvious that Tristan had no desire to converse with the male portion of their new guests, aside from the brief words exchanged with Kettil.
There was also not much point trying to maintain cleanliness, given the state of the dingy tower they currently resided in, so Tristan ceased his nail cleaning and ran his thumb lightly across the blade's edge to test it's sharpness. Satisfied, he slid it away. After a moment his gaze returned to the woman on his right and settled there. A few seconds of contemplation, and he spoke, still watching her.
"And do you have a name?"
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[Post 34]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jul 7 '12 2:50am
"No, I have not seen any ruffians," Vigdis said to Cuthred curtly. "Well..." 1d20+5z
Success: "No, I have not seen any ruffians," Vigdis said to Cuthred curtly. "Well, not until now." The last part of the sentence drifted off into a whisper. Kettil must have taken something Braithe said humorously for he bellowed a sudden and sonorous laugh. Vigdis rolled his eyes at the bigger man, then turned back to regard the Velian. At the mention of mead, Bruide sat up and smiled.
"I've some mead left in my wineskin," Bruide said aloud as he searched for the strap to his wineskin from around his shoulder.
"Velmark?" Vigdis said to Emeric, his tone hinting at intrigue. "That's not a Velian axe? More like a farmer's tool. I've seen a Velian sword. Its beauty is only outmatched by its worth in silver."
"Asdis," the slave woman replied proudly to Tristan. Whether he did not hear the exchange or did not care, Vigdis held his attention on Emeric.
Sorry for the choppy reply!
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[Post 35]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jul 7 '12 3:16am
"Asdis," he said the name once, making sure he had the pronunciation right. Tristan glanced in the direction of Bruide as the man mentioned mead and proceeded to search for his wineskin. Should be an interesting time if this lot gets drunk, he thought. Drunken strangers weren't necessarily bad, but Tristan wasn't entirely convinced these men would be any more charming whilst intoxicated. His attention returned to Asdis after once again, though he reached his hands palms out towards the fire.
"And where are you from, Asdis?"
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[Post 36]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jul 7 '12 4:07am
The slave woman looked into the fire, her grey eyes fixated on the dancing flames, the tiny embers jumping from the burning wood, the heavy smoke curling towards the ceiling. It had a life of its own, fire. A music. A rhythm. A soul. Kettil was still laughing in the periphery, and Bruide was producing the wineskin of mead.
"I am from far away," she said in her thick Lindish accent. "Dârargoed." When she said the word her eyes were unblinking, as if she were seeing something else.
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[Post 37]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jul 8 '12 5:21am
Cuthred chuckled at Braithe. "I suppose you're right. It's dreary enough weather outside, no reason it has to be so in here." At Bruide's announcement he brightened considerably. "Well, there you have it, the gods are smiling on us. Not enough to pass out, Emeric, but plenty enough to warm the belly." When the mead made it around to him, Cuthred savored the honeyed sweetness and the burning warmth. He was tempted to take another, but that would be the height of impropriety in any company, and so he passed it along.
"My thanks," he said, raising a hand in salute to Bruide, then half-covering a belch.
When Asdis mentioned her homeland, he rolled the name over in his mind, trying to recall if his father had ever mentioned such a place in Linden.
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[Post 38]
Author : Mordae
Date : Jul 8 '12 5:59am
Rikard allowed the banter to play out around him, content to let the others do the probing with their words while he listened for the hints of subterfuge or false motives. When the mead came his way, he brought the skin to his lips but drank none, preferring instead to keep his wits sharp. The door above weighed upon his mind, and as much as he might try and shake it, he had a deep and disquieting sense that the tower had brought them there and would not let them go until it had revealed its mysteries.
That the girl might be a witch was also troubling. He knew little about the weird arts, save that the spirits of weal or woe seldom worked to common purposes. To bring another spirit into this place, where the spirits were already restless, could only yield strife such that mortal men could little hope to endure.
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[Post 39]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jul 9 '12 12:23am
Emeric looked at his axe with a sidelong glance before his eyes shifted back to Vigdis. "It is a found weapon, not the work of our craft." he paused, considering the mead that was being passed around for a moment and when it eventually got to him, chose to take a few more gulps as he passed it along in turn. He continued, "But I would lie if I said our work hasn't diminished since the times of my forefathers.".
Resuming, he asked Vigdis a question of his own. "The North is a wide place. Where North are you heading?" he said, trying to gain what little respite he could from thinking about the conversation at hand. It wasn't that he didn't like talking about his past, just that it brought back sometimes blissful memories, tarnished with the understanding that all of it was gone forever.
1d20+9
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[Post 40]
Author : slapstick
Date : Jul 9 '12 9:55pm
"At last, a ray of hope!" Braithe brightened at the man's offer, slipping in next to Cuthred. Never one to shy from a vice, she drank in as much as the men before passing it along. An immediate lightness accompanied the taste; a placebo, the remembrance of alcohol and all its effects, both good and ill.
"My thanks. The taste of mead always reminds me that people can do marvelous things -- provided they care to stop and think, of course, and we all know that's a lot to ask of most."
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[Post 41]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jul 9 '12 10:31pm
"I'm afraid I've not heard of it, but I can say I know what it feels like to want to go home."
Tristan doubted his words would actually give the slave woman any comfort, but having initiated conversation with her he might as well continue. The conversation also seemed to lessen the level of distaste he clearly showed towards Vigdis, or at least lessened the stares. Still, as the mead came his way, he didn't drink. He barely even acknowledged the skin, instead choosing to pass it off to whoever was on his left.
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[Post 42]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jul 12 '12 3:03am
A contented smile spread across Cuthred's face as the mead did its work. He laughed, a bit too loudly and at nothing in particular. At Emeric's question he nodded. "Aye, what's this uncle you're after doing out here? Is he from our barren, gods-forsaken homeland too or is he kin from another land?"
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[Post 43]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Jul 24 '12 3:01am
Vigids raised his chin, inspecting Emeric with a critical eye. He rubbed at his stubbly chin, and shook his head as if coming to some private conclusion. He cleared his throat, using the gesture to conspicuously glance at Kettil. The older man did not seem to notice the look during his minor laughing fit seemingly brought on by Braithe's words. Bruide was smiling as he gulped back a draught of the cold mead.
There was enough for everyone -- save Asdis -- to take two sips of the mead, though it would seem Bruide got the healthier share. Vigdis turned down the wineskin. He seemed to be pondering the questioning of the young Velian and Lindener. Asdis did not respond to Tristan, her eyes fixated on the fire and gleaming intently. Kettil was still laughing.
"North will do." He slowly turned his head towards Cuthred. "A countryman, yes. Though he left ages ago."
It was then that the group noticed several rats appear from some hidden crevice and begin to the ascend the staircase, chittering all the while.
1d20+11z
1d20+11z
Continuing the lie about his Uncle.
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[Post 44]
Author : Mordae
Date : Jul 24 '12 3:22am
Rikard alertly turned from the conversation at the first moment he heard the sound of rats. As much as he wanted to believe it was simply a pair of rodents having a squabble, the chattery din went on far too long to be an animal misunderstanding. Wearily, he dragged himself to a standing position and loosened his sword in its scabbard. "Never a peaceful moment for this place," he groused to Tristan.
Having said his piece, Rikard moved to the bottom of the stairs to get a better view of the situation. He frowned mightily when he saw the rats begin to climb the stone stairs; he would naturally have expected them to seek out the source of food, not flee it.
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[Post 45]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Jul 24 '12 3:41am
Tristan didn't seem likely to push for more conversation with Asdis if she was done talking, despite the fact that this was likely the longest talk he'd had in one sitting since the ship wreck. Instead he was content to sit back and watch the ongoing discussions quietly. Any more staring at the woman was going to start being considered rude, by her if not by her masters, so his attention was divided in equal parts amongst the men instead.
At least until the chittering of the rodents scurrying along up the stairs, and Rickard's words. There was the briefest of glances towards Asdis, almost unconsciously. He didn't really believe she was a witch, and even if she was, he was more concerned with her treatment than any strange magics she may or may not possess. Rickard's words were enough to ready him, though, and so he got back to his feet and lightly clasped the hilt of his own sword and awaited further direction.
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[Post 46]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Jul 25 '12 5:58am
Cuthred jumped up at the sound of the rats. He did a passable job, he thought, of passing off his visceral disgust as alertness, and stepped towards the vermin, though a pace behind Tristan and Rikard. Rats. He loathed the things, especially their pink feet and naked tails. Just the thought of those grotesque little feet creeping across the floor towards him while he slept. . ..
"What're they doing?" he said, curiosity overcoming revulsion. This wasn't how rats normally conducted themselves, he knew. For one thing, they were walking out in the open, not silently flitting between dark spots and scaring the life out of anyone who glimpsed them. He glanced down into the dark shadows where they seemed to have issued forth. "Fleeing from something, maybe?"
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[Post 47]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Jul 26 '12 1:32pm
Emeric drew in a deep breath as Vigdis seemed to hesitate. That was enough of an answer for him and the Velian decided not to press the issue, though he did not fail to notice the conspicuous look the man had given his comrade. "Alright. You've shared mead with me so there will be no insisting on my part." he said, shrugging off the other questions he had in mind. it was then that his eyes noticed the rats as they scuttled up the staircase.
He wouldn't have paid much more attention to them, but everyone else was. His brain tried to care, his eyes followed the rats, they narrowed with focus but he had no energy to spare them. Rats were rats, though that reminded him about the area upstairs. He turned to Rikard and said: "Did you find anything up there? The rats look like they're interested."
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[Post 48]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Aug 6 '12 3:11am
Of the four newcomers only Kettil reacted, standing to his feet and wiping his beard with the back of his forearm. Vigdis remained seated, absently watching the rats scurry up the broad steps. Asdis began studying the lower level, her head swiveling this way and that. Bruide corked his empty wineskin, then scratched at his chin. Silence filled the chamber, leaving those gathered in the damp, smoky room to wonder at the unnatural actions of the rats. The stillness stretched out until the horses began shuffling with nervous energy.
Then it happened. It started with a low groaning, followed by a creaking noise, much akin to the noise the planks of a longboat make when under great stress. Water quickly seeped below the great tower doors and into the chamber, causing the fire in the center of the room to hiss and spit. As the icy waters passed under the feet of the horses, they reared and whinnied. The creaking gave way to an earsplitting crack! The doors split asunder, and a wave of murky water burst into the hall. The fire was gutted as the waters tumbled and churned through the room.
"The river's burst!" Vigdis shouted, jumping to his feet. "This whole plain will flood!"
"Up!" Kettil screamed. "We must go up, or swim!"
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[Post 49]
Author : Mordae
Date : Aug 6 '12 4:01am
From his place near the stairs, Rikard was quick to move up a step or two, but the waters quickly lapped at his feet as the flood rushed into the tower. "Tristan, Emeric, gather the horses! Cuthred, Braithe, the gear! The rest of you, bring your belongings--make haste!" The swordmaster's head swiveled as he looked through the darkened hall to see if there was anything else that should be scavenged from the already ankle-deep sea of muddy foam.
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[Post 50]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Aug 6 '12 9:14pm
As he scrambled for their belongings, Cuthred cursed. He cursed everything he could think of, and then he just cursed. The water rushed up and a sodden chill seeped through his boots. He grabbed the nearest packs and hurled them to those nearer the stairs, then handed a few to Braithe before taking as much as he could carry and wading for the stair.
"Whatever I did to earn the gods' wrath," he shouted at the stone above, "I'm sorry!"
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[Post 51]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Aug 7 '12 1:17pm
Emeric scratched his chin, wondering what everyone was getting so worked up for. Just a few rats scuttling about, he thought, stirring the ashes of the fire with a stick. It was then that he caught movement from the corner of his eyes. The ground was glistening, moving, even. The fire spluttered as the young Velian stood up straight away, eyes round with panic. "Water..?" was the only word that managed to escape his lips as his head twisted to take the sight of the horses and the water slowly seeping into the tower.
The rest was mostly a blur for the young man. Rikard shouted out orders about the horses but the young man had to wonder how he expected him to take control of the panicked mares. As resolve hardened in him, he reached out to his horse and took him by its reins when the doors suddenly burst open and the flood swept in with water dark as night. Emeric tried to keep his horse in check even as it struggled. They were going to lose a lot of things if their mounts abandoned them now. His head spun towards Rikard as he caught some of the things Braithe and Cuthred were tossing at him. Then, suddenly, all was dark. The fire was out and complete darkness had taken them.
If I was the slave girl, this would probably be my chance to escape, the Velian thought. "Keep talking and lead me, I cannot see!" he shouted, hoping the animal would prefer the stairs to the flooding river outside and accept his lead. He certainly would, the cold was cleansing away all the warmth the mead and the fire had provided like a storm would blow out a candle.
1d20+7
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[Post 52]
Author : slapstick
Date : Aug 9 '12 6:57pm
Braithe jumped up as the water rushed in, soaking her feet. So much for being warm and dry. Stumbling over her seat, she grabbed what she could and hoisted herself onto the stairs, slogging upward. She hadn't drowned on the voyage and she'd be damned if she was going to drown on land.
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[Post 53]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Aug 12 '12 8:07am
As much as he disliked the man, Vigdis was right. If they didn't moved they'd drown, and after what they'd suffered the last time water was involved he wasn't about to die of inaction. As Rikard shouter, Tristan sprang to action, moving over to grab the reigns of his horse and whatever else he could. At first it was a matter of trying to keep the beast calm, there was no way he'd be able to get it to move with it in a panic. Keeping a steady grip on the reigns, he turned his attention back to Rikard and shouted over the sound of rushing water.
"Rikard! Even if we get them upstairs, what about the bloody hole?"
Just including a Handle Animal roll for you, DarkJester.
1d20
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[Post 54]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Aug 12 '12 4:08pm
Gathering the horses was a lost cause, as Emeric and Tristan soon found out. The sudden shock of the cold water and the noise of the door slamming open sent them into a panicked frenzy. Their eyes rolled as they reared and kicked and screamed. Two of them stamped about in the water, circling around to find an escape, while another plunged through the doors and out into the night. Two more ran towards Rikard, clattering clumsily up the rough-hewn steps.
The others followed behind, having grabbed what gear they could. Boots squelched as the group made their way up the steps in relative darkness. When the moonlight could be seen no more, Rikard was forced to stop or else brave the steps in total darkness. Rats could still be heard squealing up the steps, though the horses appeared to have stopped their ascent. Vigdis moved through the darkness and stepped towards Rikard. His voice was sharp and unpleasant on that dark stairwell.
"We'll wait out the storm on the higher landing." He shifted. "Bruide, get a light going!"
Bruide quickly obeyed, producing a small whale-fat candle and a fire-steel. He struck the fire-steel against his dagger, shaving brilliant orange sparks over the candle wick. Eventually the wick caught flame, casting a meager light in the stairwell. He lit two more candles and passed them down the line. With the pale candlelight leading the way, Rikard moved deeper into the throat of the tower. It did not take them long to come to the oaken door and the where the hole in the staircase should be: only there was no hole. The rough-hewn stone steps climbed upwards without break.
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[Post 55]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Aug 14 '12 6:53pm
Cuthred accepted one of the candles. He was grateful for the light, though the oily smoke from the burning whale fat turned his stomach. His boots squelched with each step, except for once when he trod on a fleeing rat. The rat squeaked and Cuthred nearly did as well, though he managed to contain his surprise and maintain what was left of his dignity.
On reaching the door, he turned to Tristan. "Well, what about the bloody hole?" The words were meant in jest but a quaver of trepidation had crept into his voice. The others had said the stairway was crumbled, and that was not something one could be easily mistaken about. He glanced down the stair at Asdis. Bedraggled and shivering, she hardly looked dangerous, but danger could be like thin ice.
If she truly is a witch, we're all in grave danger, he thought. And if she isn't, well, then we're in even graver danger.
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[Post 56]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Aug 16 '12 5:28am
He had to let go of his horse, there was no choice. He hoped Talos wouldn't flee into the night, he had grown rather fond of his mount, it was well trained. Emeric listened as the water sploshed around below them, listening to everyone's ragged breaths as they made their way up the stairs. He tried to be careful as he climbed, with all that water, as they could be treacherous.
It didn't take too long before Vigdis took charge of his little band of misfits. Emeric wondered why he was already referring to them that way. A light soon sprung from nothing, wobbling in the cold air, its fledgling light illuminating the way forward. Eventually, they continued their ascent deeper into the bowels of the broken tower. When finally, Emeric reached the wooden door that Rikard had mentioned, his eyes did a double take, as if wondering whether he was overlooking the break in the stairs.
"Cuthred's right." he said, trying to still his teeth as they lightly chattered from the cold. "I did not know you guys had brought mead with you up the stairs." he concluded, trying to muster up a smile. He did not believe three pairs of eyes could have been wrong, least of all Tristan. They had once doubted his word with the giant, he would not doubt again. But then, what in the worlds was going on?
"I do not know whether we should continue." he said, leaving his sentence hanging in the silence that followed.
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[Post 57]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Aug 16 '12 11:31pm
Tristan's delay in letting the horse go was minimal, an obvious sign that even if he had formed some bond with the animal he wasn't about to let it endanger his own life. Instead he moved off quickly, going to join the others who had been assigned the task of gathering their supplies. He helped where he could, eventually turning to follow them deeper into the tower and towards the stair that he, Rikard, and Braithe had tried to explore earlier. As they reached the spot where the break should be he stopped cold, a blank look on his face. He didn't acknowledge Emeric's words, but he did shoot a sharp look to Braithe and Rikard.
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[Post 58]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Aug 18 '12 2:51pm
"What in the gods' name are you all talking about?" Kettil shouted up from around the bend of the stairwell. There was a shuffling noise as he pushed his way past the horses -- who were now at the rear of the group and moving about nervously. The big man was holding Asdis by the meat of her arm as he ascended the stair and reached the door. He looked around incredulously. Finally, he tossed Asdis roughly to Bruide, who snatched her brutally. She winced. Vigdis seemed bored of the whole thing, but he was moving closer towards the door.
Kettil placed a big hand on the door's handle, then pushed. The iron hinges of the door screamed loudly as the door opened inwards. The room revealed beyond was a large, circular landing. There was one other door in the room and a rusted iron ladder leading upwards into darkness. Water was splashing noisily into the room from the many arrow slits that were cut into the circular wall. Where the water made its way into the room, algae growth was the thick against the stone. Water dripped from somewhere above. The cracks of thunder were louder in the room, and they resounded threateningly throughout it.
Kettil, Bruide, and Asdis stepped into the room.
"After you," Vigdis said coyly, gesturing towards the door with a slender hand. The horses whinnied behind him.
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[Post 59]
Author : Mordae
Date : Aug 20 '12 4:04am
Rikard's eyes widened as he took in the mystically mended stair. "Trust the ancestors to punish me for my lack of faith," he muttered, looking abashed after Kettil and the other strangers crossed the questioned space with no ill effects. Yet his dander was still up, particularly with Vigdis lingering behind. Drawing his sword slowly, he set the point against the first of the stairs-that-were-not-there-before and gave it a tentative push.
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[Post 60]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Aug 20 '12 4:06am
Rikard's sword tip touched against solid, rough-hewn stone.
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[Post 61]
Author : Mordae
Date : Aug 20 '12 4:09am
With a resigned shrug, the swordmaster moved forward and up the steps as a blind man might, dragging the tip of his blade gently along the stones and peering toward the room with the hope of discerning anything amiss before it might burst upon him like the raging waters below.
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[Post 62]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Aug 21 '12 1:18am
Emeric's eyes adjusted as the door opened and the dim light of the whale fat candles brightened the room ahead. It was enough for him to notice the shape of it and his eyes flicked back to Rikard as he tested the stone of the stairs with his sword. To think that the man had this much doubt only made Emeric feel uneasy, the leader of their little band was not easily moved and, to the Velian's knowledge, had never truly jested.
His feet moved on their own, even as his mind screamed not to carry on. What choice did he have though? He was not about to brave the icy waters below in the vain hope of being able to swim against that kind of current and somehow to safety. The monster at the Quadan camp had been made of flesh and blood, he thought, whatever was the source of this magic must be the same.
That was not actually a very reassuring thought.
Emeric stepped into the room after the rest of the party did, leaving the horses to follow of their own accord. There was no sense in panicking them any further in the stairs: The beasts were worth more than everything they were carrying and they would have no value to them with broken legs. Letting out a sigh, the young, budding warrior's fist clenched around the shaft of his axe. What he truly feared was what he could not see and in this dark cold night, he had much to fear indeed.
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[Post 63]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Aug 21 '12 4:25am
Cuthred stepped through after Emeric. At least the water was only coming in through the walls, and not the roof. He stowed the gear in a relatively dry spot, then went to inspect the rusted ladder. Raising the candle high with one hand, he grabbed hold of a rung with the other and gave it a few tugs to test its strength.
In truth, he had no intention of climbing up the ladder, but it eased his mind a little to do something.
"What could remake stone like that?" he said, to no one in particular, but it brought to mind another possibility. "Maybe it was never gone, and someone put a hex on the stone to make it appear broken. So no one would try to come up."
He laughed to assure the others that he was not at all serious, and certainly wasn't considering taking his chances with a swim and riding out the storm while clinging to a flooded treetop.
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[Post 64]
Author : slapstick
Date : Sep 4 '12 4:42am
"Maybe," Braithe murmured, glancing over her shoulder as they passed where the gap had been. "Maybe we're going mad." She stamped her feet, glancing around the mildewed room. A peal of thunder echoed through the tower, and she shivered, suddenly feeling the chill through her wet clothes. She folded her arms over her chest and drew close to Emeric, seeking some amount of warmth.
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[Post 65]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Sep 5 '12 3:03am
Emeric was probably just as drenched as she was, but that did not stop him from drawing closer and hugging her against him. It didn't seem like much, but the young man felt much more comfortable and warm that way. He looked at her and smiled. The very sight of Braithe shivering seemed to shove his misgivings about the room to the back of his mind. The Velian lowered his weapon and placed it against the nearby wall, the metal of the axehead scraping against the stone lightly before coming to a halt. Untying his cloak, he draped it over her shoulders and, while wet, it certainly would help with the wind. He felt a little colder for it, but maybe they could break down that door the same they did downstairs for a bit of fire.
He briefly wished cold could materialise as a man so he would have the opportunity to punch him in the face. Pivoting his head slightly towards Cuthred as he tried to still his chattering teeth, the Velian spoke quickly: "Do you think we can make some decent firewood out of that door and see whether hexes burn?" he said, a grim smile on his lips.
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[Post 66]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Sep 5 '12 8:10pm
Tristan's ascent up the stairs was a mixture of watching his footing and glancing back at their new "friends" every so often, all the while trying to keep a decent pace without bumping in to someone. He knew how to swim if it came to it, but a life spent almost completely in deep wilderness didn't breed as strong a swimmer as someone born by the sea. So, if he could avoid it, he'd rather avoid the incoming water as much as possible.
The scowl that had planted itself on his face since they're passed the "gap" was still there. Instead of voicing his concerns verbally he began to move around the room slowly, eying the walls before his gaze came to rest on the ladder near Cuthred.
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[Post 67]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Sep 7 '12 4:14am
Cuthred chuckled and shook his head at the sight of Emeric, cloakless and shivering. A gust of wind drove rain through the arrow loops, soaking him further, and he hissed at the sudden chill. He held his candle close to shield the flame.
"Worth the try," he said. "Even if it won't burn we can warm up chopping it to pieces." He craned his neck, squinting at the darkness where the ladder disappeared.
"But I'd rather get a look up there first." He took hold of the ladder with one arm again, kept his candle in the other and began an awkward climb. "If I fall," he said, "make sure I land on my head first. With any luck I'll be knocked stupid and think I'm some place warm and dry."
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[Post 68]
Author : Mordae
Date : Sep 10 '12 4:20am
"Good plan, Cuthred," Rikard remarked. "I'll have to mention your method of self-improvement to the next healer I meet." The swordmaster moved to the other door, gesturing for Tristan to join him as he examined the portal to see how it might be opened.
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[Post 69]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Sep 12 '12 5:01am
Bruide forced Asdis to the floor in the center of the room. The slave roughly pulled her arm away from his grasp, but remained seated on the floor. Vigdis glared about the room, his long face looking at the surroundings disapprovingly. Kettil was silent, his mouth drawn into a frown below the tangle of his beard. None of them spoke.
The rusted iron ladder groaned when Cuthred stepped on the lowest rung, and dust and tiny bits of stone fell from the ceiling above. But the ladder held even as Cuthred took another step, the paltry candlelight leading his way.
The two horses that climbed the staircase clattered into the room, staring wide-eyed as lightning flickered through the arrow slits. They stepped about nervously and breathed clouds of white mist from their nostrils.
It began slowly, like the whisper of wind beneath the leafy canopy of a forest. A noise. A murmur of voices, low and sonorous. The thrum grew and grew, slowly overtaking the sounds of the weather that still roared outside until--quite suddenly--words could be distinguished. It was a chant, like the reciting of a poem by a lord's skald. But the voices were haunting and angry.
Bring along thou spears and wains,
Here we lie, here we've lain
And lo! the world can not see,
We've not rested peacefully
Through the storms and the breeze
Here we lie, here we've been
Though our hearts yearn the sea,
We lie here for all eternity
The chanting continued, coming from both nowhere and everywhere at one time.
Please include a Will save (DC 17) against fear in your next post. If the roll fails by 5 or less, you suffer a -1 penalty to attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for 1 round. If the roll fails by 6 or more, you suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for 2 rounds.
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[Post 70]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Sep 12 '12 9:04am
Emeric watched as Cuthred slowly made his way up the old rusted ladder, his eyes darting back to the group below, but it seemed like he didn't need to keep an eye on Vigdis and the others, as Tristan was doing a great job doing just that. Sticking to Braithe, the young Velian warrior was about to lean to whisper something into her ear when he suddenly heard them.
The voices.
Halting mid-way, the young man straightened suddenly and rather stiffly. His eyes scanned the room, but it was his ears that were deceiving him. Where was the chant coming from? When the chant seemed to finish, it instead continued, as if defying his good sense and asserting its presence. The Velian reached for his axe, his teeth grinding together as his head swiveled trying to find an enemy or what was the source of the noise.
"What in all the gods' name is this sorcery?" he said, his voice only a whisper amid the tumult outside and the chant inside the tower. Emeric had never been superstitious, but the cold chill and the growing sound of the voices left him utterly speechless.
1d20+1
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[Post 71]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Sep 12 '12 9:53pm
"So long as you tell them who you heard it from first," he said to Rikard. He climbed up another rung, squinting to keep the chips of masonry and rusted flakes from his eyes.
He paused. "What was that?" he called down to the others.
Nothing, he told himself. Nerves.
He heard it again. It was a dirge. It was a song warriors sang before marching into a certain death.
He shimmied down the ladder. The whale fat candle slipped from his fingers, landed wick down with a waxen plop. He leaped down the last few rungs to the stone floor.
"This place has a black curse on it," he said. He moved close to Emeric and Braithe and tugged his own axe from his belt. He shook the weapon at the dark. "Peace, spirits! Leave us!"
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[Post 72]
Author : Mordae
Date : Sep 14 '12 4:35am
Rikard turned from the door at the sound of the fell music. He seemed at once calm, transfixed, even sad. There was nothing to be feared from the call of his ancestors.
"Spirits of my kin, fallen in battle long ago. Take ease of your disquiet, that we may learn from your wisdom and bring about your deserved rest. Speak! I, Rikard son of Gulbrand of Stromland, await your counsel."
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[Post 73]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Sep 16 '12 4:10am
A little background noise while you read and post. Sounds really cool with headphones on.
Ancient Tower (http://gomix.it/ancienttower).
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[Post 74]
Author : slapstick
Date : Sep 17 '12 5:28am
1d20+4
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[Post 75]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Sep 23 '12 2:30am
The four newcomers cowered at the sudden and haunting noise. Even the haughty Vigdis was crouched down, his arms shielding his head. Kettil drew his sword, but made no attempt to move. Asdis threw her cloak about her, and pressed herself against the stone floor, though it seemed she had been forgotten by her captors. Bruide looked as though all the blood had been drained from his body, and he stood shivering.
The door swung open by unseen hands. Lightning stabbed down outside, illuminating the room with a sudden brilliant flash of light. The brief glimpse of light showed a figure standing in the threshold of the door. The figure was tall and thin, garbed in dark raiment, and utterly terrifying to behold. The grey skin upon its exposed face and arms was drawn and thin, and in places missing completely, revealing the bone beneath. Scraps of mail and leather covered its gaunt body and a sword was at its waist.
The figure took one step into the room and craned its neck slowly around. With lidless eyes it surveyed the intruders with a malevolent glare. "Death awaiteth those who intrude upon the tower of marwolaeth," said the slow, hissing voice of death itself. "Long years hath we defended these walls, and long years shall we continue to. Though the name of Gulbrand is known to us, and thy courage and proud words hath granted a boon. For we espy many things that are far off to mortal eye. And this I will say to you, Rikard son of Gulbrand: sorrow awaiteth thy steps, and thy mantle will be death. Lo! fire and steel doth speed thy gait, but be wary, for upon thy brow sits pride. And ye shall be cast down in thy turn if heedless thou seeks revenge.
"Thus the Earda hath spoken unto me. Go, therefore! A way hath been made. Depart with whom thy will--for evil was not brought to this tower by thou or thine company, save one among you."
At this last line, he turned to Vigdis who was now openly weeping beneath the gaze of the menacing figure.
1d20+4z
1d20+1z
1d20z
1d20+1z
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[Post 76]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Sep 24 '12 11:20pm
1d20+2
Tristan had initially been scowling at the way Vigdis had shoved the woman to the stone floor to sit, although that wasn't anything new from when the newcomers had first arrived. His attention had been called away from the pair though as Rikard motioned for his aid, and the man had reluctantly followed their leader over to the door, the candle held out before him in his left had to provide light. When the music started his scowl deepened, his nerves already frayed enough from tonight's events. Like some of the others he'd drawn his sword with no real enemy in sight he'd held it low, the tip of the blade gliding just above the stone floor.
If Rikard words called out to seemingly no one had surprised him, the figure that eventually came before them had a much stronger effect. He let out an involuntary shudder as his eyes took in exactly what they were all looking at, a curse caught in his throat before he could utter it. He was at a loss for words, though at the moment that didn't seem to be much of a problem given that the creature seemed content with chatting to Rikard.
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[Post 77]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Sep 24 '12 11:49pm
Emeric shivered as the air in the tower seemed to grow colder. His eyes scanned the room for their hidden enemy uselessly until, suddenly, the door swung open. The young Velian's lips parted. His sight took in the gaunt skin against bone, the bared parts where it was missing altogether. The eyes were caved in, lidless and lifeless and when they crossed his gaze, it felt like what little warmth was left in him immediately departed.
He had never believed in these stories. The ones where the dead came back. He hated the tall, stone structures because of what he had experienced as a child, and in the same way, he had come to love the quiet burial mounds outside his clans hold where he could find solitude and time alike. Fear and terror were not words he associated with these tranquil places, they seemed plentiful enough outside of that little world. Perhaps it was Linden that was its own little world, and the mainland was where legend and myths came to life.
Petrified and terrified, the Velian looked at Rikard when the dead addressed him. His name was known even to the undead. Emeric's eyes gazed on their leader and wondered how much he really knew about the man. Needless to say, he kept his questions to himself: He could barely think straight and he certainly had nothing to say to the unliving.
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[Post 78]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Sep 26 '12 6:11am
When the revenant appeared, Cuthred's only thought had been to bolt for the door. It took all his will to stand his ground, but he stood, though his knees knocked and his hand shook.
He followed its gaze to Vigdis, and was surprised to see the hard man of a few moments before reduced to tears. Somehow that sight was all the more terrifying than the walking corpse itself. But it gave him courage as well. His heart was in danger of hammering its way out of his chest, but at least he wasn't weeping like a child.
"What is it talking about?" he said to Vigdis, keeping his voice low. He looked at his companions, careful not to catch the revenant's eerie eye as he did. "We should heed its words and go."
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[Post 79]
Author : Mordae
Date : Sep 30 '12 3:18am
The sight was enough to chill a brave man's blood, but Rikard had learned over the past weeks to expect such oddities. They were well beyond the reach of civilized man here, and what might pass for a fanciful story in the mead hall could be quite different on the moor. And so the swordmaster faced the wakened dead full-on, unbowed by its fearsome presence or harsh words. Pride, it had been called, though Rikard felt it not so--rather the steely determination of ancient vows yet unfulfilled. Slowly, he raised his blade to the ancient salute.
"If pride be my sole ill, yet I would still be glad to be called Stromlander. I shall guide these who trespassed with me back into the night from whence we came, nevermore to disturb your vigil." Rikard spoke these words without taking his eyes off the staring corpse, but when they ran dry he diverted his glance toward Vigdis for a brief moment. "And we shall see that any evil done receives its full measure of justice," the warrior added with a flinty edge to his already-dry voice.
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[Post 80]
Author : slapstick
Date : Oct 2 '12 7:41am
Braithe caught hold of Emeric's hand and gave it a squeeze. She blinked at the creature and leaned forward, looking between the ghoul and Rikard as they spoke.
"Oh, death has walked alongside us for quite some time," she said as Rikard finished speaking. "Though I see now death could be a very good option. What act of yours denied you peace and made you an arbiter of the living, my good corpse? Or was it what you failed to do?" The woman tilted her head to the side, lip curling and eyes narrowing just a bit as she studied the ghoul with an intense and perverse curiosity.
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[Post 81]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Oct 11 '12 4:38am
Vigdis trembled when Cuthred spoke to him, but whether he was unable to, or unwilling, he made no response. Kettil looked down at Vigdis, and shuddered. Bruide was shaking his head, but stood to a crouch and slowly began moving towards the staircase. Asdis stumbled to her feet, and shambled towards Tristan where she half-fell, half-leaned against him.
"Nay," came the hissing voice of the draugur. "Tis death to bring evil in this place. Depart son of Stromland."
The lidless eyes turned to regard Braithe, and the very sight of them was enough to chill one's blood. "Uncouth dost this one speak; Braithe. But I judge thou words, and I say this: do not trouble in affairs not meant for mortals. But thou hath witnessed the oath taken by me and my brethren. And with my own spilt blood did the Earda bind us. Till the ending of time shall we dwell in this place, or else the Earda release us from our bond. But our parts are yet to be played in this world. But linger not, lest we reverse our doom. For it tis with torment that I let the living go."
With its last sentence three more figures emerged from the black threshold. They were garbed similarly and moved slowly. Each step seemed a laborious task, but eager they were. Eager for their prey. Vigdis. His eyes were wide open, and the blood seemed to have drained from his veins. He was trembling. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came. Then the draugar were upon him. He neither called out nor moved as the ghastly figures began to devour him. One tore a strip of flesh from his neck, while another ripped open his belly. Blood bubbled from the hideous wounds and steamed in the icy air.
"Go!" the voice cried. "Go, lest our hunger is not sated with this one alone!"
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[Post 82]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Oct 12 '12 1:46am
He wanted to look away. The sight of the draugar ripping into Vigdis made Cuthred's guts churn. He wanted to look away, but a grisly fascination held him. He had never seen a draugar. He had never seen one eat a man alive, either. Tonight was full of firsts for Cuthred.
He gave his head a sharp snap and backed away a pace. "Time we left, I think," he said, edging towards the door while facing the carnage. These draugar were predators, and he expected they'd react like any wolf to the sight of quarry turning tailing and fleeing. He posted at the doorway to the staircase, ready to guard the retreat if the draugar turned on the others before they all made it out.
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[Post 83]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Oct 12 '12 12:56pm
Emeric gave Braithe round eyes as her voice rose in the presence of the dead. Squeezing her hand in return, he listened on as the lidless eyes stared back, answering her curiosity. More shivers than he could count had already traveled up his spine, but this particular look was more than the warrior could take. He averted his eyes, yet still listened. Fear had already begun to bubble in his gut, but it was when he heard the sounds of flesh parting that he could not stand it one moment longer. The Velian grabbed Braithe by the waist and rushed the both of them down the stairs as fast as he could without breaking their necks in the process.
"Get out, get out, get out.." was all Braithe and the others clambering down the steps could hear from Emeric as he breathed the words through gritted teeth.
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[Post 84]
Author : Mordae
Date : Oct 16 '12 5:13am
Rikard doesn't need to be told a third time. Snagging the reins of the horses, he led them as swiftly as they could move in the confines of the tower, seeking the stairs and the doors below. "Let us see that the waters have receded and depart with haste. We must seek the dawn like swift harts." His head was still swirling with the pronouncements of the awakened dead, and their ghastly feast bothered him more than he cared to admit. He only hoped the continuance of action would still the tremor in his hands.
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[Post 85]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Oct 17 '12 4:54am
When Cuthred spoke aloud it seemed that Kettil and Bruide finally regained their senses. Quickly they moved to join the others that were already descending the ancient stair. Emeric led the frantic escape, followed close behind by Braithe and Rikard. It was the young Velian who first noticed the water licking at the steps below. But even as he looked the water began to recede. With each step he took the dark waters retreated until, at last, the group reached the waterlogged entrance hall.
Almost all sign of the camp seemed to have washed away with the flood, save for the carcass of a horse which lay crumpled near the open doorway. Outside the rain dispersed into thin sheets of rain that reflected the light of the rising sun. By the time Cuthred--who last to leave the grim scene above--stepped into the hall it seemed to those gathered there that the clouds had parted; and lo! the sun was bright in the morning sky, and the darkness and dread of the rain was but a memory.
Kettil stared out of the tower, while Bruide threw himself to the ground, panting wildly. The pair seemed to have forgotten Asdis who, for the moment, sheltered near Tristan. Her head was bowed, and the hood of her tattered cloak was pulled down over her face.
"We must leave," she said to Tristan.
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[Post 86]
Author : slapstick
Date : Oct 17 '12 5:23am
Braithe had no time to respond when Emeric grabbed hold of her and dragged her away. Her jaw set and she did not look away from the carnage till the ghouls were out of sight. Once outside the tower she pushed away from Emeric, avoiding his eyes.
"I doubt anyone planned to stay, my dear." The woman moved away from the group at this, picking through the detritus to see if anything useful remained of their camp.
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[Post 87]
Author : Earthbound
Date : Oct 21 '12 1:34am
Emeric stood at the threshold of the tower, dazed. It was as if he had stepped out of a dream. His awakening had dispelled everything, the clouds parted and the sun shone through the dark veil and its bright shine spilled onto the lands ahead. The Velian stood idle, unable to think clearly for a moment, his eyes blinking as if he had never seen the sun before. A nudge and a push from Braithe brought him back to reality and the very pressing need to leave the premises. His eyes followed the woman carefully, deeply in thought, as he watched her start salvaging whatever could be saved from the floods.
Keeping his silence as the witch woman decided she'd share her piece of advice, the young Velian turned towards Rikard, even as the sounds of Braithe sorting through the wreckage bounced softly off the walls of the tower to his ears.
"We are leaving, I know. How soon though? We can help Braithe and leave pretty quickly, but you spoke with the dead, you would know the need better than us. You and Braithe." he said, pausing. Clenching his fists, he looked at them in silence before relaxing, his voice coming with a tremble and betraying how he felt. "I didn't even dare look at them in the eyes."
And with that, the Velian stepped inside the tower to help with salvaging, at least until Rikard came to a decision.
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[Post 88]
Author : Mordae
Date : Oct 21 '12 3:59am
"Swiftly, swiftly," Rikard urged his companions. He knew better than to test the hospitality of the dead. "Grab what you can carry and let us be gone."
Sheathing his sword, Rikard stooped to gather up an armful of waterlogged gear. He kept one ever-watchful eye toward the stone stairs.
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[Post 89]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Oct 22 '12 5:01am
Cuthred squinted and raised a hand against the sunlight streaming into the tower. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light. He tried to put his axe back through his belt loop, but his hand trembled. After a moment he managed. At Rickard's command he looked over the flotsam and spied Bruide on the ground, gasping for breath.
He grabbed a fistful of shirt and hauled the other man to his feet. "What in hell was that?" he demanded. "Why did that fiend single out Vigdis? Why did it call him evil? Why did he break down and start weeping like a scared child?"
A shake accompanied each query. Cuthred released Bruide after the last, but remained face to face with the man, so close he could smell the faint residue of mead on his breath from earlier.
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[Post 90]
Author : DarkJester
Date : Oct 27 '12 6:49am
The undead had shown that Tristan wasn't as impervious to fear as he seemed to enjoy showing off, and he'd remained silent for the entire conversation. While he'd wished nothing more than to look away, his instinct told him that he needed to remain cautious. While the one abomination seemed to order them to leave, he wasn't entirely sure hoe he felt about trusting a corpse. And so his hand remained lightly on his sword.
Despite the obvious chill the undead sent through him, he didn't seem at all disturbed by Vigdis' fate. Or he hid it very well. His disdain for the man and his practices had been blatantly clear early on and it seemed as though he was willing to accept the undead's judgement of the man. So he followed the others when they finally made their escape, aiding in gathering whatever of their already meager campsite could be salvaged before settling in beside Asdis.
"Aye, we do," he said. He remained at her side, letting her stay sitting for now. While he didn't really expect her to defend Bruide from Cuthred's verbal and slightly physical assault, it was quite obvious that for now at least he was taking the role of her keeper, and was ready to interject in the off chance he was wrong.
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[Post 91]
Author : Mordae
Date : Nov 1 '12 3:51am
"Not the time for that, Cuthred!" Rikard barked. "Unless you walked all this way just to be filleted. Grab your gear and go--there's time for questions on the other side of that hill." The nervous energy of the situation was manifesting itself as irritation in the swordsman's tone, and his eyes remained largely fixated on the tower stairs.
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[Post 92]
Author : Fritz der Fuchs
Date : Nov 1 '12 10:37pm
Cuthred's anger subsided and he took a step back from Bruide. "Sorry," he muttered, in a tone that indicated he was anything but.
The gear was sodden and twice as heavy. Cuthred picked up as much as he could carry that looked salvageable and a few things that didn't. There was too much racing through his mind to focus on anything but the most rote movement. Bend, pick up, bend, pick up, bend, pick up. When he'd grabbed all he could fit in his arms or over his shoulders, he started towards the hills with the others.
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[Post 93]
Author : ShadowStalker
Date : Nov 18 '12 4:25pm
The saga continues in Part 4: Eastward Road. (http://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?p=6310781#post6310781)
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Downloaded from Myth-Weavers (http://www.myth-weavers.com) at Mar 31 '15 9:52pm.